Rare Kew Gardens 50p coin might be worth hundreds – see how to spot 'real' one

When was the last time you checked your coin collection?

Now it turns out specific pieces can be worth a fortune, especially if you plan to sell. For example, the Kew Gardens 50p coin is one of the most desirable out there.

With just 210,000 in circulation after the 2009 release, it's no surprise millions of Brits want to grab one for themselves. And according to one TikTok user, it's best to check your change now.

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The design was first introduced in 2009 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens in London. It's often the coin most people are eager to add to their collection.

According to TikTok user @CoinCollectingWizard, who has a following of 143,100, this is the "rarest" 50p coin to keep an eye out for. In a recent video, he discussed the Kew Gardens design.

The user said: "The Kew Gardens 50p hit the headlines in February 2014 when it was revealed as the most scarce 50p in circulation. At the peak of the hype surrounding its value, some coins were exchanging hands for hundreds of pounds.

"This coin was reissued in 2019 as part of the 50th anniversary of the 50p celebrations, the 2019 version of this coin was a commemorative issue and did not enter general circulation. A circulated version of the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p can easily sell for £150 today, a graded uncirculated version can sell for double this.

"Just 210,000 Kew Gardens were minted for circulation in 2009 and has become the holy grail of UK coin hunting. So next time you are at the shop, make sure you ask for 50p coins in your change as you just never know when this ultra rare 50p might crop up."

Since the video was shared, the post racked up over hundreds of likes and dozens of comments. One said: "Got this one!" While another added: "I have 2x 2009, took me 20 years to find them!"

You can spot a fake Kew Gardens 50p coin as the @CoinCollectingWizard told Mirror exclusively: "Spotting a fake/copy version of a Kew Gardens is normally quite obvious.

"If you look under the Queen's neck there are letters IRB which is the designer's initials. If it says IRB copy then it's fake. The other way is always on the Queen's side. No detail in the Queen's hair and crown."

When it comes to finding one, he added: "Best place to find Kew Gardens is trying to get bags of 50ps from your Post Office or bank as you have a higher chance of finding one if you are looking through lots."

Speaking about the most expensive version of the commemorative coin, he continued: "It's the gold proof version that originally sold for around £700 and recently £6,000 at auction."